Flourishing in Medicine: From Surviving to Thriving Episode 16 Navigating Complex Health Systems: A Conversation with Dr. Justin Klamerus

The guest today is Justin Klamerus, MD, MMM, Executive Vice-President and Chief Clinical Officer for McLaren Health, a fully integrated, nonprofit health care delivery system committed to quality, evidence-based patient care and cost efficiency. The McLaren system includes 14 hospitals in Michigan, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 490-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering approximately 700,000 lives in Michigan and Indiana. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. McLaren maintains academic affiliations with medical schools at Wayne State University, Michigan State University and Central Michigan University. McLaren’s GME campuses offer residencies and fellowship programs that train over 650 future physicians annually.A medical oncologist by training who joined McLaren in 2009, he went on to hold numerous positions at McLaren including president of McLaren Cancer Institute and principal investigator of the McLaren Center for Research and Innovation. Following the acquisition of Karmanos Cancer Institute by McLaren in 2014, Klamerus served as chief quality officer and later president of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital and Network. in 2020, he was appointed to the Public Health Advisory Commission by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and in 2022 he became Chief Clinical Officer for all of McLaren Health.During this conversation, Dr. Klamerus discusses his leadership in McLaren Health, highlighting the organization's dedication to its medical staff as well as to many diverse communities, while navigating financial constraints and significant public challenges such as the Flint Michigan water crisis, gun violence, and maternal health delivery issues. He shares a vision for how large and complex healthcare systems can improve workforce stability and community engagement through fostering an environment where staff receive the support needed to excel in complex patient care delivery and to address social issues. He underscores the importance of transparent, authentic, and engaged leadership, mindfulness, and personal connections, alongside emerging technologies, in driving positive changes in healthcare delivery, community health outcomes, and physician and health professional well-being. I found his candor, humor, genuineness and warmth to be comforting, helping me to better understand the connection we can all have with true leaders.Guest: Justin F. Klamerus, MD, MMMExecutive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, McLaren HealthcareFaculty Profile: about Dr. Klamerus- https://www.mclaren.org/main/news/mclaren-health-care-appoints-justin-f-klamerus-md-3906LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-klamerus-md-mmm-a42b293b/About McLaren Health: https://www.mclaren.org/3 Minute Meditation Session with Dr. Mick Krasner